“I don’t want to see the victims with the person that took their life, and I don’t think any of my staff wants to see that,” said Stephany, who explained the decision was made out of respect for the victims and their families.

Stephany said he didn’t know if the shooter’s body had been released yet.

The state provided two extra doctors and 40 extra staff members to help in the local office, which also set up a call center to communicate with the victims’ families.

“My thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the victims,” Stephany said. “My deepest sympathies and condolences.”

Tuesday was technically Stephany’s first official day in the chief’s position, even though he had served in the role on an interim basis for the past year and worked in the office since 2007.

Despite the large loss of life, the medical examiner said there was enough space at the office for all of the victims and doctors were still able to handle other death cases that were unrelated to Pulse.